Cognitive impairment

Cognitive impairment is noticeable and persistent changes to your thinking skills that may affect your daily life.

Some cognitive decline is a normal part ageing for most people, such as occasionally misplacing your keys or taking a bit longer to learn something new. It’s the gradual decrease in thinking skills, such as memory, processing information, and making plans but it doesn’t usually affect your quality of life.

Cognitive impairment refers to more noticeable difficulties with memory, thinking, attention, or language beyond what’s expected from normal ageing. Symptoms can range from mild to more serious, and if these begin to disrupt daily life, it may be a sign of a condition like Alzheimer’s or dementia.  

Not all conditions that cause cognitive impairment are progressive neurological conditions. Accurate diagnosis is key, as many of these conditions can be managed and treated with the right combination of treatment and support. 

Whether you’re seeking answers for yourself or a loved one, our specialists are here to guide you through the next steps with our deep expertise, understanding, and care. 

Keep reading to learn about the signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment, causes and associated conditions, and how we assess your cognitive health at Affidea neuraCare

Cognitive impairment can cause a range of symptoms that affect people differently. Most people with cognitive impairment are over 60, but it can present in younger people, especially if it’s caused by an underlying health condition.

Early changes may be subtle and don’t get in the way of daily activities. They may be noticed by friends and family before you notice them yourself. Being aware of the signs can help you and your loved ones seek support sooner before symptoms become more frequent or disruptive.

The main areas affected are memory, attention, language, problem solving, and mood. You may have symptoms affecting one or two of these areas, such as:

• Forgetting recent events, such as things you’ve done or places you’ve been
• Regularly forgetting where you’ve put your belongings
• Often struggling to remember important plans or appointments you’ve made
• Having trouble with conversations, including struggling to find the right words
• Finding it more difficult than usual to concentrate on one or more tasks
• Finding it harder to follow or remember directions to places
• Changes to mood or behavior, such as feeling less interested in your hobbies or feeling depressed or irritable

It’s important to understand that experiencing some of these symptoms on occasion can be a normal sign of age-related cognitive decline. But, if you or loved ones notice them happening more often or they’re beginning to cause you concern, it’s worth exploring further with a specialist. 

Many causes of cognitive impairment are manageable, and early assessments can open the door to the right support and care to help you get back to your everyday life.

Cognitive impairment isn’t a condition by itself. Instead, it’s a sign that something else may be affecting how the brain works. In many cases, once the underlying cause is identified, it can be treated or improved with the appropriate therapies and support.

Conditions or health issues that can have an impact include:

• Neurodegenerative conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Traumatic brain injury
• Strokes or mini-strokes , which could lead to vascular dementia
• Mental health disorders, such as depression, long-term stress, or anxiety
• Sleep disorders
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Brain tumors and the treatments for them, such as chemotherapy
• Infections
• Medications with side effects affecting thinking, such as confusion or drowsiness
• Other medical disorders, including epilepsy, lung or kidney disease, brain-related and other hormonal imbalances (including problems with the thyroid, hypothalamic-pituitary axis, stress hormones and reproductive hormones),  specific vitamin deficiencies and autoimmune conditions

Find out ways you can take care of your brain health as you get older. While they may not completely prevent cognitive decline, they may help reduce your risk and improve your overall health

If you or someone you know is experiencing persistent changes to memory, thinking, or concentration, a thorough assessment can help rule out serious conditions and uncover issues that may be treatable or reversible.

Initial assessment

The first step is a detailed consultation with a neurologist where they aim to build a full picture of your cognitive health. This typically includes:

• A discussion with you or a loved one about your symptoms and medical history, including any medications you take and your general lifestyle
• Cognitive testing using standardised tools to assess memory, attention, language, and problem-solving
• A physical check-up to test your movement, coordination, and reflexes
• Blood tests to check your overall health and for common causes such as vitamin deficiencies, hormone imbalances, or infection

For some people, these initial checks can provide reassurance or highlight a simple, treatable cause. If the results suggest a more complex picture, further investigations are often recommended.

Further investigations

If other conditions have been ruled out, you may have more specialist tests and scans to explore the underlying cause in more depth. These may include:

• An MRI or CT scan of the brain to look for signs of dementia or other neurological disorders
• Neuropsychological testing which is a more in-depth assessment of memory, language, and thinking
• Pathology tests such as a lumbar puncture to examine cerebrospinal fluid for biomarkers of certain types of dementia 

What happens next?

Once your assessment is complete, your neurologist will discuss your results with you and explain what they mean. 

If the results point to specific conditions, our team of specialists will design a personalized plan with the appropriate treatment, monitoring, and care to help you move forward with confidence. 

If no specific diagnosis is made, they can offer you advice on monitoring your symptoms and improving your cognitive health, such as through lifestyle changes and support services. 

Whatever the outcome, our team is here to guide you and your family through the next steps